Censorship @#$%^!!

Actually I wanted to write this down yesterday, but was too tired and malas. I had four classes from 10am to 5pm. Break lah in between, from 1.30 - 2pm, sempat solat jer. Was damned hungry. During Dr.Haja's class at 12 noon, I was a little bit sleepy and blur. He was talking about classroom conversation and real life situation conversation (it's a Discourse analysis lecture, what do you expect?)

Dr.Haja: Ok,now, Bath is associated with an English writer. Does anybody know who is the writer
Alia: Chaucer
Other students: wasdhihewiie (uttering something under their breath)
Dr.Haja: Anybody
Alia: (confidently) CHAUCER
Dr.Haja: Yes, correct. Jane Austen

-bila masa entah aku kata Jane Austen, Chaucer bunyi macam Jane Austen ke? Maybe I was too sleepy and perhaps Dr.Haja was also a lil bit blur hehehehe. (and I was sitting at the most front row - what da ************)

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Earlier in Prof.Q's class we discussed about Christine Lim's "Write,Right,Rite". It's a short story about the lack of freedom of expression in Singapore (more or less the same in Malaysia). It's a satire on how Singaporean government imposes control on individuals or rather on Singaporeans - such control and interference resulted in unauthentic and distraughted ideas and views. Prof. Q said what makes a writer different from a politician is honesty. A writer is not an angel, they too like politicians, and other human beings, commit mistakes and "sins" but the authenticity of the writings/ideas represent their honesty. "Most important is that they convey their honest perspective on certain issue, no dirty hidden agendas"
Before the class ended, Prof.Q asked whether we need further clarifications on anything. So, I asked him, "If I were to write a story on comparative religion, to what extent do you think it would be accepted here in Malaysia, I mean, erm, do you think it would get published?" Prof.Q told me that I should not put self-censorship in my mind, I should keep on writing on what ever topic or issue as long as I'm honest and sincere with my view, and of course I must be able to accept criticism. "A good work of art would receive a lot of criticism, that shows that people read your works". "Do you think, this might offend some people, religion is a sensitive issue rite?" "There's no problem if you think one religion is superior to another, provided that you're sincere, again sincerity = very important. Don't worry about publication *grin - we'll publish from Indonesia then, keep on writing ya."

So, now I would write what I want to write, I won't put any censorship in my mind that will block my ideas. The professor said self-censorship is one of the reasons why Msian writers are lagging behind in literature. But still you can't deny that there's a limitation in everything, don't worry...I'm not interested in porn story although I'm working on a story about homosexuality - please broaden your scope, not only your eyes OK!! Owh, btw, I'm working on another blog.Will inform you guys later, and give more info on that. Cheers...